Animated a study on Romans 1:1-17 yesterday.
Ended up making the moral applications of the text on Paul's actions and way of speaking.
In verse 1 in first calls himself servant if Christ, then Apostle. Showing which comes first and what it truly is to be a disciple.
In verses 1-6 and 7 Paul uses the word "called" to talk about his and the disciples attributes, showing that none are earned by deeds but given. Also showing an example of obedience.
In verse 5, Paul returns all of his gifts to God, refusing to take praise for them himself.
From verses 1-7 He makes the salutations, and immeditaly identifies himself to God, making the longest part of the salutation about God.
Immediatly at the start of the letter he praises God, in verse 8. He even says "firstly".
From verses 9-10 he explains how he lives with daily prayers for the Church.
In verses 11, 12 and 13, Paul talks about the way he lives communion and fraternity through mutual growth
Verses 14-15 he explains how he lives his mission, by the Hand of God everyday, not knowing where he goes but only knowing he can spread the gospel.
Verse 16 : He takes pride in his mission.
In conclusion, Paul identifies himself as a servant of God, within God. He never attributes anything to himself and returns every glory to God. He always praises God through his actions, it is the first thing he does. He lives in daily prayer, and prays for the Church vehemently. He remains humble, and while remaining a father and a teacher, also grows from the members of the Church he sees as equals. He follows God and obeys him blindly. And he takes pride in all of that.
With that said, I haven't even prayed myself yet, so I'm gonna take his example and do that right now kek
